peters



UNITED sTATEs PATENT FFICE.

ROBERT HAMPSON, OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

METHOD OF BLOCK PRINTING ON WOVEN FABRICS OF COTTON, LINEN, SILK,WOOLEN, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 2,116, dated .Tune 7, 1841;Antedated June 9, 1840.

To all fui/wm t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT IIaMrsoN, of Manchester, England, haveinvented a certain new and improved Method of Block- Printing on wovenfabrics of cotton, linen, silk, and woolen, or any two or more of themintermixed, with improved machinery, apparatus, and implements for thatpurpose; and I do hereby declare that the description of my inventionset forth and described in the following specification and accompanyingdrawing, to which I have herein referred, is a true and exactdescription.

The scale to which the annexed drawings are made is marked thereon andthe same letter of reference which is used in one figure or view is usedto indicate the same part in the remaining views 0r figures thererepresented.

Figure 1 in the annexed drawings is an end elevation, Fig. 2 a sideelevation, and Fig. 8 a plan of a machine for block printing.

In these figures A represents a roller or `wooden cylinder on which thewoven fabric to be printed is wound and S a similar roller provided witha length of calico or other cloth to pass under the fabric and protectthe blanket during the printing process.

a a represent carrier rollers under the one `and over the other of whichthe fabric and under cloth are carried in their passage toward theprinting table B over which they pass as indicated by the pink and bluelines at Fig. 2 the pink line representing the fabric to be printed andthe blue line the cloth to protect the blanket.

The rollers A and S are both prevented from revolving freely by means ofa break or check line and t-he counter weights b, so that the fabric andunder cloth are held in a state of moderate tension as they are drawnforward over the printing table B. The position at which the impressionis given to the fabric is immediately over the letter B at Fig. 2 whencethe fabric passes forward over the roller C and there separates from thecalico or under 4cloth which passes between the roller C and thepressing roller c which is held in close contact with the under surfaceof the roller C by means of the small levers and counter weights D D. Onthe axis of the roller C is placed the spur wheel E which receivesmotion from the pinion e when made to revolve by means of the handle orwinch F. This handle or winch is arranged to make one revolution forevery intended progressive movement of the fabric having reference tothe depth of the pattern or portion of the pattern intended to beimpressed thereon and is held stationary during the printing operationby a small spring catch f as best seen at Fig. 1. The amount ofrevolution imparted to the Wheel E necessarily depends on the relativesize of the pinion e which can be changed when required so that as soonas one impression has been received on the woven fabric at the point B auniform amount in length of the fabric corresponding with the amountprinted is drawn forward by the revolution of the cylinder C and a freshportion of the fabric presented to the printing operation at B. Afterthe fabric has received the impressionfrom the block and passed forwardunder the roller C it is carried over a heated plate d cl for thepurpose of drying it and thence forward under the carrier rollers g gthen over the pressing' roller c and then under or over such carrierrollers as may be convenient until it is deposited printed and in a drystate on the roller R as best seen at Fig. 2.

The heated surface Z CZ for the purpose of drying the printed fabric isproduced by a constant How of hot water or steam within a chamber ofwhich (Z Z forms one side but the mode of heating may be variedaccording to the nature of the fabric to be printed.

rThe block Gr from which the impression is received on the fabric isrepresented at Figs. 1 and 2 suspended immediately over and parallel tothe table B where it is attached to the cross frame g, g, g, g, as seenin Fig. 3. This frame g, g, g, g is guided and kept horizontal in itsascent and descent within the strong upright frame 0f the machine .fr mby means of the center rod H working freely upward and downward in ahole in the center of the arms Z Z Z Z to which the top of the uprightframe is braced together and strengthened and the straight edges 7L ateach corner of the framing g, g, g, g, as seen at Fig. 3 in Vso which atleft hand corner the iron work at the top of the upright frame isremoved to show the straight edge more clearly the cross frame'g, g, g,g, is suspended in the position seen at Figs. l and 2 by means of theband t' z' z' c' and counter weight I so that by raising the counterweight I the cross frame and block descend by their own gravity and theblock imparts the pattern to the fabric on the table B below returningto the position represented at Figs. l and 2 as soon as the weight I isdrawn down by the operator.

The apparatus for distributing' the color to the block-G is representedat K, Figs. l and 2 and moves on the railway L L as best seen at Fig. 2where it is shown immediately under the block G preparatory to the blockbeing depressed to receive the color and in dotted lines in the positionto which it would be removed before the block again descended to impartthe pattern to the fabric be low. The construction of this part of myinvention will be best seen in Sheet 2 where Figs. 4 and 5 representplans and Figs. 6 and 7 transverse sections of a coloring apparatus fordistributing six colors to the block at one operation. In these figuresm m m m m m m m represent eight compartments or small cisterns in whichthe liquid colors are contained ready for distribution on the surface oftheir respective sieves or elastic surfaces M M li/I M M M Figs. 4 andthe red color and the adjoining blue being divided into two tints so asto produce what is termed by calico printers the rainbow effect asrepresented in the drawing. The six parallel boxes or'cisterns under thesieves M M M M M M are supplied at their respective openings n a n n n nwith the requisite amound of liquid to keep them elastic and aresupported on two straight edges 0 0 and 0 0. The first sieve boxrepresented in Figs. 4 and 5 as containing` the dark color is fixed orstationary but the other five can be separated by means of the bentirons Q Q which are attached to the last or yellow sieve and the amountof separation or accurate distance from each other at which they areheld is determined by means of a strap of leather attached to the underside of all the sieves boxes or cisterns. The position of this leatheris shown at 7; p in Figs. 6 and 7 and in dotted lines at Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 8 is a plan and Fig. 9 an elevation of a. feeder or implement fordistributing the color from the color cisterns m m m m m m m m to thesieves M M M M M M. This feeder consists of a series of wooden pegsfixed in and proceding from the under surface of a slab of wood and soplaced as to correspond with the respective color cisterns so that bylifting the feeder out of the color cisterne and placing it on thesieves when in the position represented at Fig. 4 a regular amount ofcolor is carried to each and the dipper being returned to the colorvessels remains ready for the next operation.

Fig. l0 represents a teering brush or rubber g/ with two handles whichis to be placed in a trough made for its reception when not in use asseen at Fig. 5 and is shown in elevation as when in use at Fig. 6. Thisbrush or rubber is for teering or spreading the color uniformly on thesurface of the respective sieves and is divided into spaces tocorrespond with the sieves when separated as in Fig. 4. The colorshaving been distributed by means of the clipper Fig. 9 and spread orteered by the brush y, Fig. 10, the coloring apparatus is passed alongthe railway L L under the block G where the projections Q. Q, coming incontact with the upright framing of the machine the several sieves M M MM M M are pushed together or closed as seen at Fig. 5 and are then in aposition to correspond with the several portions of the pattern on theAblock Gr which are to receive the several colors. 1n the coloringapparatus described at Figs. 4 and 5 the color being distributed instraight lines the pattern on the block Gr must necessarily partake ofthe same character but by variations in t-he form of the sieves patternsof a different character may be produced. y

Fig. l2 is a plan of another modification of the coloring apparatus inwhich by the sieves being made with projections or indentations fittinginto each other marked m on the pink and yellow sieves alternate colorswould be imparted to the block when `the sieves were closed and theblock brought into Contact therewith.; whereas in t-he formerconstruction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 there would be the same colorthroughout. But this and other modifications of the coloring apparatusaccording to the nature'of the pattern to be produced will be obvious toany party conversant with printing operations a principal advantage inthe method. described of distributing and teering the color depending onthe movable arrangement of the sieves which allow of the nearapproximation of different colors in the pattern without endangeringtheir admixture during the process of distribution and teering.

Fig. 11 is an elevation of a brush for cleaning the block G whenrequired which by moving accurately on the edge of the coloringapparatus comes in contact with every part of the block on which anypart of the pattern is raised the block being suficiently lowered forthis purpose when required. This brush is removed from the position seenat Fig. 7 when not in use but this cleaning of the block may also beeffected by hand by raising` it in the frame and using separate brushesto each portion of it which has received a distinct color.

From What has been already described of the peculiar construction andarrangement of the sieves and color box K it Will be obvious to printersand persons conversant with Work of this nature that this portion of myimpro-ved method of block printing is susceptible of variousmodifications according to the nature of t-he Work to be done and thatit is also applicable to block printing by the ordinary process Withoutusing the machinery delineated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, Sheets 1, and 2. Ishall therefore describe with reference to Figs. 13, 14, 15, 1G, 17, 18,and 19, Sheet 1, one modification of this part of my invention adaptedto the eniployment of a printing block of the ordinary size and to beused by hand either before or after dying or other process by which thetexture of the fabric to be printed has been stretched contracted orotherwise varied in the same manner as block printing is ordinarilyperformed and when the object could not be properly or convenientlyeffected by a block covering the Whole Width of the fabric as alreadydescribed.

On Sheet 1 Fig. 13, is a plan of a color box of like nature as thatbefore described and marked K in the previous figures. Fig. 17 is atransverse section of the same taken at the line TT Fig. 13, and Fig. 18a transverse section taken at the line u u Fig. In these figures thesame letters of reference are used as in former figures and indicateparts of a similar nature and office as in such former figures and thesieves marked NI are separated and closed by hand by means of the handleQ the position of the sieves When closed and ready to receive the blockbeing shown at Fig. 13 and When open and ready to receive the color atFig. 14.

The feeder or implement for distributing the color on the sieves beforedescribed as shown at Figs. 8 and 9 (is shown as adapted to the presentmodification at- Fig. 15 and a corresponding modification of the brushor rubber for tearing or distributing the color before described asshown at Fig. 10) is shown at Fig. 16. The position in Which theseimplements are placed when not in use Will be best seen in section atFig. 17.

It Will be remarked that in the coloring apparatus before described asshown at Figs. 4 5 and 12 Sheet 2 the tearing or spreading of the colorWas described as performed lengthwise from end to end of the sieves. Inthe present modification it is performed across or at a right angle tothe longest sides of the sieves as indicated by the double ar row atFig. 14 and the sieves are divided into compartments by small bands orraised divisions placed across the sieves to prevent the intermixture ofdifferent colors placed in the same sieves. The various colors Will beseen in the compartments marked fm, my m m, m m m in Fig. 13 each ofWhich it Will be seen is subdivided into a variety of small cells tocontain colors and shades of colors and the rainbo-ived effect of suchcolors distributed on the sieves after teering is seen at Figs. 13 and14, in the latter of which the coloring box and sieves are representedas in part broken off to save room in the drawing. These rainbowedcolors transferred to the block and imprinted on the fabric will producea pattern of the character represented at Fig. 19. Thus at oneimpression of the block six or more separate colors are placed on thefabric and the rainboived eect produced and intermixed to a greaterextent than has heretofore been effected.

Having described the various movements of the printing machineryrepresented in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, together With the peculiar constructionand effect of the coloring apparatus and implements as shown at Figs. 4,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 o-n Sheet 2 and at- Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18 and 19 on Sheet 1, I shall non7 recapitulate the` variousmovements of the printing machinery shovvn at Figs. 1, 2 and 3 in theorder in Which they take place when in operation. Supposing thereforethe machinery to be in the position represented in Figs. 1 and, 2, theopeative or printer would stand near the letter B, Fig. 2, facing themachine having the handle F, F ig. 2, at his right and having the teerboy at his left hand facing the dotted lines at K. The fabric to peprinted being drawn from the roller A in the direction of the red lineas already described by turning the handle F and held in a state ofmoderate tension, the coloring apparatus K is placed in the positionindicated by the dotted lines Where it is held by the projections Q Qwhich striking against. the framing of the machine separates the sievestothe extent allowed by the connecting straps p p and places them in aposition to receive the colo-r (see Fig. 4) which the teerboy firstdistributes with the feeder (Figs. 8 and 9) and then teers or spreadsWith his brush y, Fig. 10. The brush being then placed in the troughmade for its reception the coloring apparatus is passed along the rail-Way L L to the position seen at Fig. 2 immediately under the block G,Where the projections Q Q are forced home by coming in contact with theframing and force up the sieves M M M M M ld close to each other as seenat Fig. 5, which corresponds with the pattern supposed to be raised onthe block G. At this period the printer raises the counter Weight I byhand which allows the block Gr to descend and receive the color andagain immediately drawing down the weight I the block G ascends to itsformer position. The teer boy then retires the coloring apparatus to theposition of the dotted lines F ig. 2 and the block is again lowered bythe printer to give the impression to the fabric extended o-ver thetable B. This being effected the block G is immediately raised andreturned to the position seen at Fi 1 and 2 andwhile the teer boy isagain teering or spreading the color the printer turns the handle It andconnected pinion. e. o-ne revolution which driving the wheel E andcylinder C carries forward an exactI amount of the fabric which iscalculated with reference to and corresponds with the amount printed bythe last impression of the block G. By this time the teer boy has againplaced the coloring apparatus K under the block and the operationproceeds in regular succession as before until the whole of the fabricis printed.

By the machinery described at Figs. l, 2, and most ordinary patterns maybe produced but where it is required to print a greater number' ofcolors than can conveniently be contained in one color box or when thepattern is of a larger size as in printing furniture patterns Isometimes use two blocks on the same table. In this arrangement it isonly required to place another framing similar to that which supportsthe block G in Figs. l and 2 in the position where the dotted lilies ofthe color box K appear at Fig. 2 and to prolong the railway L L over thecylinder C. Two teer boys would then be required one on each side of theprinter who stands at B and the coloring apparatus for the present blockG must then be run from under that block to the position over the rollerC to the right hand teer boy while the coloring apparatus for theadditional block which when imparting the colors would assume theposition of the present dotted lines in F ig. 2 would be run on therailway from under the additional block to a position over the roller ato the left hand teer boy and thus a greater amount of block work mightbe executed at the same operation both blocks being lowered and raisedconcurrently.

It is obvious that by varying the amount of traverse of the fabric to beprinted the various colors contained in the coloring apparatus may betransferred from the block to separate objects or placed in successionon one and the same object in the pattern or design. For instance if thetraverse of the cloth or fabric is equal to the amount of cloth printedat any one impression of the block the six colors impressed from anapparatus such as has been described will fall on separate and distinctobjects o-r series of objects. But supposing the traverse of the lclothor fabric to be equal to only one sixth of the whole pattern and theobjects or several series of objects of which the pattern is composed tobe placed within equal divisions of the block it is evident that eachobject or series of objects will partake of the colors in succession andthereby comprise a combination of every color in each object or seriesof objects except at each end of the piece of calico or other fabricprinted when a portion of the pattern equal in extentI to {gths of theface of the block will necessarily be incomplete and therefore a loosepiece of waste cloth may be fastened to each end of the fabric to beprinted in order to receive the incomplete part of the pattern.

Having now described my said invention and the manner in which the sameis to be performed I declare that I claim as of my invention theapparatus, or machinery, constructed as hereinbefore set forth forprinting with blocks on woven fabrics of various kinds, that is to say,

l. I claim the combining 0f a block for printing` in various colors,with the apparatus or mechanical agents for causing said block todescend in a perpendicular direction in order to take up the color fromthe sieve or sieves, and to impress the pattern, or design upon thefabric, said apparatus, or mechanical agents, consisting of the crossframe g, g, the arms Z Z, the straight edges at the corners of theframe, the rod II, the band and counterweight, with their appendages,the whole being so connected as that by raising the counterweight, thecross frame and block will descend, and the color be received on theblock, or the impression given to the fabric.

2. And I claim the same however the said mechanical agents andcontrivances may be modified or varied in size, form, proportion orother particulars not departing from the principle of my said invention.But I do not claim as of my invention such mechanical agents orcontrivances separately but only as combined to effect the purposeaforesaid. Nor do I claim as part of my said invention the apparatushereinbefore described for traversing the coloring apparatus to and froby means of a railway and carriage running thereon the same althoughinvented by me having` been by me used and practised previous to thegrant o-f the said Letters Patent nor do I claim as of my invention thearrangement of rollers and connected apparatus for causing the fabric totraverse or be drawn over the printing table and conveyed away whenprinted.

3. And I further declare that I claim as of my invention such coloringapparatus as hereinbefore described in which several sieves areseparated and held apart to admit of the several colors beingdistributed and teered or spread thereon without admixture orinterference one with another and whereby the sieves are ,afterwardclosed or brought into juxtaposition in order to the giving theimpression to the fabric before 1G Colors being taken up by the block s0as to described or with the common hand block produce at one impressionof the block or or otherwise and under whatsoever other pattern ordesigrli orl parts of a pattern 0r modiioation.

esion in severa co ors arranoe contiouous r near to each other asherinbefore 2:de- ROBERT HAMPSON' scribed and which coloring apparatus`Witnessesz claim Whether the same be used n eonjuno- VILLIAM NICHOLSON,tion with the machinery and apparatus for SAM. PEARCE.

